[CHARLEE]: "Ugh...now I've got TWO young hellions to keep in line. Just remember boys, I STILL call the shots around here."

[FINN): - To Emmett - "She can be cranky...just show her you know she's top dog and then we can tear up the place!"

and - To Charlee - "I'm still Number 2, right???"

[EMMETT]: "Boys just wanna have fun!"

Charlee: I'm boss. I am not planning to tangle with you, but just remember your place.

Finney: I'd like to play, but I think I'll wait a bit and check out the situation, first.

Emmett: OK. Calm down. I'm not planning to start anything here.

Charlee is definately saying I'm the boss, her head is over the shoulder of Emmett and her tail is high, but waving slightly and the ears are back a bit so she is saying I'm the boss but I like you as long as you know I am boss.
Emmett cautious, tail low, but I can't see it, definately saying I'm cool, no threat.
Finney just wants the games to start, relaxed, mouth open, ears back, slightly back on his haunches.
Isn't it fun watching dogs interact.
Gina.(glad you got another dog)

He who stands the tallest and has the biggest tail wins!

Charlee's clear in her friendly number one stance, and the boys seem to both understand her position well. Can you please comment on how I teach my smart young border collie to read that language?? He was kept away from all other dogs til 11 months old, then I rescued and started introducing him, but he spent about four months just barking and leaping hysterically at the sight of any (the two vet trips for shots were fun exercise for me). Then he started wagging and shhhhing as I learned ways to calm him, and now, almost two years later we have had wonderful play encounters with about 60% of the dogs who let him come meet and greet. But he still always gets big adn growly, sometimes barks menacingly, as Nancy saw at a big clinic, too many at once. Whether they walk away or stand challengingly waiting for him (always on leash or run), he seems to get mad at both them and himself for not immediately doing the rough play leaps he has learned to love, with the few big calm players who tell him its ok. While searching for a companion 2nd dog (as soon as we move to Montreal Canada next month I'll renew the search!) we have got to get mellower at meet and greets, he scares many potential friends away and still worries me that he'll trigger a fight response and maybe hurt a smaller dog. Teaching doggie manners and greetings??? Woof (thanks)! Thia